After MM, ‘nasal aspergillosis’ cases surface in Vadodara

Vadodara: Just when mucormycosis cases in Vadodara have touched 300 mark during the second wave of Covid-19, another fungal infection — aspergillosis — has raised concerns in the city.

Like mucormycosis, aspergillosis too is seen among Covid-19 positive patients as well as those who have recovered from the virus.

At state-run SSG Hospital, there are eight patients who are currently undergoing treatment for aspergillosis.

“As many patients of black fungus got admitted at SSG Hospital, biopsy of each patient was taken. Seven to eight patients were found to be infected with invasive aspergillosis which is a yellow to greenish-yellow fungus. Like mucormycosis, it is also invasive fungus,” said Dr Sheetal Mistry, advisor for Covid-19 to city and district administration.

“Pulmonary aspergillosis is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients but aspergillosis of the sinuses is rare,” he said.

Mistry said that its symptoms are same as black fungus (mucormycosis). “It is less invasive than mucormycosis but if neglected it can cause bone erosion of sinuses, orbit and skull bone,” he said.

He said that patients with uncontrolled diabetes, people who are on long steroid therapy, immunosuppressive drugs, are patients of sclerosis of liver, cancer, sickle cell anaemia, HIV patients among others form the high risk group.

Non-sterile water used for hydrating the oxygen supply in hospitals is also being said to be responsible for its occurrence. Most people inhale aspergillus spores every day without getting sick.

“But people with a weakened immune system or lung disease are at a higher risk of developing health issues due to aspergillosis,” he said.